Electric socket with shade holder



May 8, 1928. 1,668,703

D. N. THOMPSON ELECTRIC SOCKET WITH SHADE HOLDER Filed March 20. 1926 attozuu;

Patented May a, 1928..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DON N. THOMPSON, DECEASED, LATE OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, BY EVA 0. THOMP- SON, EXECUTRIX, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PASS &: SEYMOUR, INCL, OF SOLVAY STATION, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SOCKET WITH SHADE HOLDER.

Application filed March 20 1926. Serial No. 96,364.

which the shell is formed of molded material provided with an integral circumferential flange extending outwardly from and forming a shade ring.

Still another object of the present invention consists in the provision of a novel shade clamping and securing means loosely molunted in a shade ring of insulating materia In order that a full understanding of the present invention may be had, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and .following specification, wherein is described a single exemplary embodiment of the presentv invention, it being understood, however, that various changes and modifications may be made in the same, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a socket constructed according to the present invention, a portion thereof being broken away to show the interior construction; and

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

In certain electrical installations, particularly in kitchens, bathrooms and similar places, it has been found desirable that electric fixtures be formed of porcelain or other moldable insulating material which presents a smooth, shiny surface which adapts itself to be readily cleaned and which can he made in most any color to suit the surroundings. Heretofore it has been known to make the outer shells of sockets for electric lamps of orcelain or other moldable material and t ese sockets have even been combined with porcelain base plates or canopies, but it has been usual to provide the socket shell with a groove or channel to receive a metal shade ring of any conventional form in order that a shade may be supported from the socket. Such rings are difiicult to keep clean and cannot readily be made to conform in appearance to the remainder of the socket. The present invention contemplates the provision of an integral ring formed of the same material as that of the socket, thereby making the two identical in appearance and color and contributing to the ease of cleaning.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown generally at 10 a socket for electric lamps which may be of the key-less, key, push or pull chain type as desired. For convenience, a socket of the key-less type has been shown, for the interior mechanism forms no part of the present invention and can readily be changed to suit the wishes of the manufacturer. The socket is provided with the conventional inner screw shell 11 which is adapted to cooperate with the threads on the base of the lamp to hold it in position. A central contact 12 is provided to cooperate with the center contact button on the lamp base. The parts 11 and 12 are enclosed in and supported by an outer shell 13 of orcelain or any other moldable material w ich serves not only to insulate the exterior of the electrical parts against accidental contact, but produces an artistic finish for the socket, as well as provides mechanical support and protection for the parts thereof. This shell may have a cap 14 of like material either formed integral with it or secured thereto by longitudinal screws such as 31. The cap 14 is provided with any suitable means 15 for attaching it to a fixture or like device as shown, although the socket may be formed integral with a base plate or canopy.

The outer shell 13 extends downwardly a short distance below the bottom edge 16 of the screw shell 11 to the place indicated by 17 and is thickened and flared outwardly as at 18 and is then provided with the downwardly extending flange or. shade ring 19 having an interior cylindrical wall 20 and an exterior wall of any desired shape according to the style of the socket. Between 17 and the inner wall 20, there is an annular surface 21 at right angles to the axis of the socket. V

The inner cylindrical wall 20 is of such a diameter as to receive easily therein the base ring of a shade which may be of any conventional type, usually formed of glass or porcelain, and the annular surface 21 forms an abutment or stop for the inner end of this base ring.

To secure the shade in position and retain it firmly against the socket, a plurality, prefcrably three radial screws 22 is provided, passing thru radial openings 93 in the portion 19 of the socket. The openings 23 are of such a size as to permit the screws 1- to pass freely therethrough. 'lhe screws 22 are provided with knurled heads 24 for ease in their manipulation and within the shade ring 19 have threaded engagement with the L-shaped clips or nuts 25. The longer portions' 26 of the nuts are received in recesses 27 in the wall 20 of the shade ring, in which they have a close fit in order to prevent their rotation when the screws 22 are turned to clamp the shade ring. Since the lugs or nuts are not fastened in the shade ring, means must be provided for preventing; their movement inwardly when pressure is applied to the heads of the screws 22 and this function is fulfilled by the right angled ends 28 on the nuts which tit into recesses 29 in the annular surface 21, which recesses form cont-inuations of the recesses 27. The

edges 30 of these angular ends 28 abut the firmly in their proper position and yet offer no strain on the porcelain. This elimination of strain is an important feature for it pre vents cracking and similar difficulties. The large area of the nuts 25 insure against breaking away of the porcelain shade ring in case excessive pressure is applied to the screws.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An insulating shade ring for electric sockets having an annular surface and an inner cylindrical surface, a screw passing freely thru said ring and cylindrical surface, a recess in said cylindrical surface, a nut in said recess engaging said screw and means in said annular surface to prevent in ward movement of said nut.

52. An insulating shade ring for electric sockets having an annular surface and an inner cylindrical surface, a screw passing freely thru said ring and cylindrical surface, a recess in said cylindrical surface, a continuation thereof in said annular surface, an L-shaped nut having an arm in each recess, said nut engaging said screw for the purpose described.

3. An insulating shade ring for electric sockets having an annular surface and an inner cylindrical surface, a screw passing. freely thru said ring and cylindrical surface,

a recess in said cylindrical surface, a con-' signature.

- EVA C. THOMPSON, Ea ccutriw of the Estate of the Late Don W.

Thompson, Deceased. 

